Chess Puzzle #hVplO — Master, Black to move, endgame

Position

White: king b6; rook h7; pawn h6. Black: king a8; rook b1; pawn a4. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (6 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ka5 — king b6→a5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: a3 — pawn a4→a3. Opponent replies Rh8+ (rook h7→h8, gives check).
3. Best move: Kb7 — king a8→b7. Opponent replies h7 (pawn h6→h7).
4. Best move: Rh1 — rook b1→h1. Opponent replies Re8 (rook h8→e8).
5. Best move: a2 — pawn a3→a2. Opponent replies h8=Q (pawn h7→h8, promotes to queen).
6. Best move: Rxh8 — rook h1→h8, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxh8 (rook e8→h8, captures rook).
7. Best move: a1=Q+ — pawn a2→a1, promotes to queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, defensive move, endgame, promotion, rook endgame, very long. The key move is a3.

Position data

FEN: k7/7R/1K5P/8/p7/8/8/1r6 w - - 2 55

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